I have now been gluten free for 8 years. As I stop and think about it, it feels like it has been a lifetime since I had a Chic-Fil-A nugget or a yummy donut. But I would not trade a bite of those things to go back to feeling like I did. Bloated, chronic constipation, severe stomach pain, fatigue and depression. Ask my husband, I never wanted to get out of bed, I was absolutely miserable and had a few moments where I thought this was the end.
It took about 2 years to figure out I had celiacs disease which is a disease in which people can’t eat gluten or it will damage their small intestine and lead to major health issues. After a million tests, sonograms, and wrong diagnosis… I actually diagnosed myself and told my doctor. I went straight to eating gluten-free. I gave it a solid month and my life has never been the same. (If you think you have a gluten intolerance you HAVE to give a gluten-free diet a minimum of 3 weeks to see results, it takes time for your body to rid itself of the bad stuff in your intestines!)
It was pretty easy to eat at home but when a trip was on our schedule I dreaded it. At that time, gluten intolerances were still not really common and so restaurants were unfamiliar and unaccommodating. I packed a lot of snacks and stayed hungry!
Eight years later things have taken a 180 when it comes to gluten-free options! Most fast food chains have them listed on their website! That doesn’t always mean there are great options. It’s usually a salad or a piece of protein by itself. But now that I have been on this road for 8 years I have found my favorite restaurants in the cities we are in the most and have put a list together for you. I also put my top fast food restaurants for when you’re at the airport or on a road trip! We eat at a lot of the same places, but that’s just our life with my dietary restrictions. Just about anywhere you go you can get a salad but I still like a hamburger and some fried chicken on occasion. And there are places you can get those gluten-free!!
One big help to all of this has been an app that I’ve used called FIND ME GLUTEN FREE. It will use your location and find you restaurants within so many miles or you can specify cities. They also have menus and customer reviews. GAME CHANGER!
LUBBOCK
La Sirena
Watering Well
The West Table
Capital Pizza
Las Brisas
P.F. Changs
Torchy’s Tacos
Jersey Mikes
Blue Sky
La Diosa
Jasons Deli
Cheesecake Factory
Abuelos
Orlandos
Twisted Root Burger Co.
AMARILLO
575 Pizzeria
Crush
Public House
Eat Rite
Jasons Deli
DALLAS
Company Cafe
Neighborhood Services
Fireside Pies
Nobu
Coal Vines
Origin Kitchen + Bar
Kozy
Hopdoddys
Mi Cocina
True Food Kitchen
R + D Kitchen
Zoes Kitchen
FAST FOOD
Torchy’s Tacos
Chic- Fil – A
Jersey Mikes
Schlotzky’s
In – N – Out Burger
Taco Villa
Five Guys
Subway
Fuzzy’s
If you or someone you know deals with a gluten intolerance, you know how difficult it can be to find a place to eat. I hope this list can help take a little bit of the pressure of deciding on a place! If you are curious about gluten intolerance symptoms or my journey, please reach out! I would love to help!
Leave a Comment